Tag: Canada

The big questions for Canada ahead of the World Cup

Featured by Rhys Desmond, posted in Masterclasses, Team Analysis

Jesse Marsch might have been hoping for more from his team against Iceland and Tunisia, but they put up a decent fight in both matches, and gave plenty of fringe players a chance to stake their claim for the World Cup. This team have been hit by so many injuries over the past few months and that will leave a ton of questions for Marsch to answer within his squad composition for the summer tournament. After consecutive draws with Iceland and Tunisia, here are the looming questions still needing to be answered before the summer.

Ali Ahmed: The £1.4 million steal powering Norwich’s revival

Featured by Rhys Desmond, posted in Game of Numbers, Masterclasses, Masterclasses, Player Analysis, Player Education, Recruitment & Scouting, Winger

Norwich might not be in the hunt for Premier League football next season, but they are slowly rebuilding their squad back to one that can challenge toward the top of the Championship. And in Ali Ahmed, they didn’t just sign a useful squad player. They may have found their next star.

Why Jesse Marsch is perfect for the Canadian Men’s National Team

by Rhys Desmond, posted in Managers, Team Analysis

The American coach made his name across an incredibly successful spell at RB Salzburg between 2019-2021, but hasn't been able to hold down the fort since. His brief stints at RB Leipzig and Leeds United showed signs of promise, but also many moments of doubt. So with Marsch being out of a top-tier job for over a year, it comes as a surprise that he would suddenly take over the Canadian Men's National Team. However, Marsch's management style and tactical preferences perfectly fit the current need within the Canadian set-up.

Niko Sigur – Player Analysis

by Rhys Desmond, posted in Canadian Premier League, Fullback, Player Analysis, Recruitment & Scouting, Subscriber Exclusives, Winger

Niko Sigur is a 19-year-old Canadian/Croatian currently playing right-back for Hajduk Split. After moving away from York University and Vaughn Azzurri, he chose to represent Croatia at international level. Since then, he's risen through their youth ranks and is now having a great time in Hajduk's first-team. This means his market value is currently listed at 700k, so the most likely scenario I see would be a loan.

Canada 2-1 Ireland – Women’s World Cup – Match Analysis

by Rhys Desmond, posted in Coach Education, Match Analysis, Women's Football

After a 0-0 draw against Nigeria where they showed some promise but ultimately failed to get the job done, Canada came out of the gates shell-shocked against Ireland. Leading into the match, I broke down three key areas where Ireland would hurt Canada. Unfortunately for Canada, all three of these items came to life against Ireland, and they looked a team lacking identity. But then everything changed in the second half, and finally they got going, with the help of some experienced heads. Here is our analysis of the match between Canada and Ireland, and how the Canadians turned things around.

How Canada can beat Ireland – Women’s World Cup 2023 – Tactical Analysis

by Rhys Desmond, posted in Masterclasses, Match Analysis, Team Analysis, Women's Football

After a disappointing first match against Nigeria, Canada will be hoping to improve upon their performance against an intense Irish side, fully ready to do battle. Here is what Canada must keep in mind as they prepare for their second match of the 2023 Women's World Cup against Ireland.

Women’s World Cup 2023 Preview – Jessie Fleming & Ashley Lawrence

by Rhys Desmond, posted in Attacking Midfield, Central Midfield, Fullback, Masterclasses, Player Analysis, Wing-Back, Winger, Women's Football

Canada are by no means one of the favourites heading into the World Cup despite their success at the Olympics, and key players like Ashley Lawrence and Jessie Fleming will endeavour to change that narrative around. Here is why new Chelsea teammates Lawrence and Fleming will be critical to Canada's success this summer.

Initial thoughts on a professional women’s league in Canada

by Rhys Desmond, posted in Canadian Premier League, Women's Football, World Football

Last night, news circulated that the long wait for a women's professional league in Canada may soon be on its way. News has circulated in the past that some traction may be developing in this area, but never with the evident backing of people like Christine Sinclair and Diana Matheson, or clubs like the Vancouver Whitecaps and Calgary Foothills. We're still a few years away from the proposed 2025 start date, but it appears as though we can officially cheer for joy that a women's league in Canada will be on its way.